Her elder sister is now teaching at the University of Alabama in America, and her younger sister is the PTV newscaster, Shaista Zaid.

Her promotion to major general has brought another first for the Pakistan army: the first husband and wife who are serving generals."Delighted" was Major General Asad Malik's instant reaction to how he felt about his wife's promotion.

"He has been my role model since we married, both professionally as well as in religion," she said admiringly.